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SED on subsidy for self-financing tertiary programmes and Hong Kong independence activities
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     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (November 18):

Reporter: During the radio programme, you mentioned that around 20 000 people applied for the new government subsidy, $30,000 subsidy, for self-financing programmes. Could you give us further update on that and how do you feel about that number? You also mentioned that hasn't caused that much of a shake to the current education system, does that mean that the government will not do further reviews on how does this impact on the education system, the tertiary education system?

Secretary for Education: When I said that there was no major shake in the system, I am referring to the number of students admitted to different programmes, say the Associate Degrees, as well as the self-financing Degree courses. Because I think when we rolled out the programme, there are some concerns that there may be students who plan to apply for the Associate Degrees, may, because of the new measure, try to apply for the Degree courses, the self-financing Degree courses. But the actual fact is, we did not see a major shift in the proportion of the numbers. There is a general decrease in the number of candidates for the Degree course and the Associate Degree programmes because of a decrease in the student numbers but the proportion is roughly the same as in the previous year.  

Reporter: Secretary, I want to follow up on the independence question. Over this week, there are some students who were delivering leaflets/flyers at school, and they vowed to do more of these actions. Should they be stopped or do you think that the school has an obligation or responsibility to actually let the students do that and further explain to them why this does not fit in with Hong Kong system?

Secretary for Education: As I said, I think any promotion of Hong Kong independence activities should not be allowed inside the school. I would expect the school to take appropriate actions against these activities, but of course inside the school, I think the most important thing is to educate and to let the students know whether things are right or wrong. And for this particular Hong Kong independence issue, I think the school should let the students know that it is illegal and it is not possible in Hong Kong.     

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
 
Ends/Saturday, November 18, 2017
Issued at HKT 12:18
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